Surgical needle threader



A ril 28, '1964 w. B. CURTIS.

SURGICAL NEEDLE THREADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1961 v mt INVENTOR William Babcock Curr/s lllnilllllll'lllI-l ATTORNEYS April 28, 1964 Filed May 15, 1961 W. CURTIS SURGICAL NEEDLE THREADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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35 5g .50 a; 5/52 2/ /6 $1 Ell I) |r r m I *1] RN] k Fig. /0 g 4 0 a9 INVENTOR W William Babcac/r Curt/s ATTORNEYS United States Patent 'Ofiice 3,130,729 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 3,130,729 SURGICAL NEEDLE THREADER William Babcock Curtis, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Curtis- Scott Company, Dallas, Tex, a partnership Filed May 15, 1961, Ser. No. 110,108 13 Claims. (Cl. 128339) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in needle threaders and more particularly to surgical needle threaders.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved threader for needles of the type having openable eyes wherein the suture is held in position for positive engagement by the eye of a needle upon movement of the needle transversely of the suture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved needle threader, of the character described, wherein only the suture enters the eye of the needle and wherein said needle is quickly threaded and ready for immediate use.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved needle threader, of the character described, having novel means for clamping a suture against displacement and for placing the suture under tension whereby said suture is forced into the openable eye of a needle upon relative transverse movement of the needle.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved needle threader, of the character described, having clamp means for confining a suture under tension in alinement with a needle-receiving orifice so that the suture is threaded through the openable eye of a needle inserted in the orifice and is removed from the threader upon release of the clamp means and withdrawal of the needle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved needle threader, of the character described, wherein the clamp means is arranged to maintain the suture in alinement with the needle-receiving orifice for threading subsequent needles after each threading and removal of a portion of said suture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved needle threader, of the charactcer described, having a plurality of orifices of different diameters in alinement with the clamped suture whereby needles of differend sizes may be threaded on the suture.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved needle for use with a needle threader and having a slit extending from the outer end of its head inwardly past its eye and communicating with the lateral margin of the eye whereby a suture may be threaded in said eye by movement through the slit, the latter being adjacent one longitudinal margin of the head so as to form a resilient element for closing and permitting access to said eye.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a needle threader constructed in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the needle threader and a needle inserted therein for threading,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, taken opposite to FIG. 2, showing the suture wrapped around the knife blade preparatory to cutting thereof,

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a surgical needle adapted for use with the threader,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view of the eye portion of the needle shown in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1, showing the suture clamped against movement and the needle being threaded,

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the suture released for movement,

FIG. 8 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 88 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 is a view, similar to FIG. 8, taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 10 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 1tl1tl of FIG. 6, showing the threading of the needle.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the elongate suture supporting body or member of a needle threader having a cylindrical casing or housing 11 depending from one end thereof. The body 11) is substantially rectangular in cross-section and has a circular, flange cap or disk 12 secured to the underside of one of its ends for closing the upper end of the casing 11. A pin or spindle 13 depends from the cap 12 for screwthreaded connection with the bottom wall 14 of the casing and for rotatably supporting a reel or spool 15 upon which is wound a suture 16 of any suitable material (FIG. 2). The suture 16 is guided upwardly from the spool 15 to an opening 17 in the cap (FIG. 6) by an elongate element 18 having an eye 19 in its lower end for receiving said suture and extending longitudinally of the casing 16, being attached to the underside of said cap. A bevelled slot 20 in the inner end of the body communicates with the opening 17 to receive the suture therefrom and direct said suture to a passage in the form of a channel or groove 21 extending medially and longitudinally of the topside of said body. The channel 21 is of a Width slightly greater than the diameter of the suture 16 and of much greater depth. To facilitate sterilization, a plurality of relatively large ports 22 may be provided in the cap 12 and bottom wall 14 of the casing 11.

As shown by the numeral 23, the outer end portion of the body 10 is reduced in cross-section and is tubular for telescopingly receiving an extension member or rod 24 to permit variation of the length of said body (FIGS. 13). An enlarged head 25 is formed on the outer end of the rod 24 and has a V-shaped medial groove or recess 26 to receive and guide the suture 16 in cooperation with the channel 21. For cutting the suture, a knife blade 27 depends from thehead 25 and has a sharpened edge 28. As will be apparent hereinafter, the amount of extension of the rod determines the length of the short end of the suture. The length of the longer end of the suture may be controlled by means of a pair of telescoping members 29 and St), the member 29 having one end pivotally attached to the casing cap 12 by a screw or other fastener 31. Preferably, an enlargement 32 is formed on the outer end of the other member 36 to facilitate telescoping movement thereof. Of course, neither the telescoping members nor the rod 24 are essential to the invention and the head 25 and knife blade 27 may be made integral with the body 10.

For retaining the suture 16 in the channel 21, a pair of axially-alined apertures 33 extend transversely of the intermediate portion of said channel immediately above its bottom. The apertures 33 are adapted to be retractably engaged by an angular, wire-like element or pin 34 which overlies the suture and which is suitably mounted on the body (FIGS. 6-9). It is noted that the retaining pin 34 does not interfere with longitudinal movement of the suture and is retractable to facilitate insertion of said suture in the channel. A clamp assembly 35 is provided for holding the suture against movement during the threading of needles and cutting of said suture. This assembly includes an elongate bar 36 which extends longitudinally of one side of the body and which is substantially C-shaped, having a transversely-projecting lock key or plate 37 at each end overlying the suture channel on either side of the retaining pin. A pair of apertured ears 38 project laterally from the body adjacent the lock keys 37 for receiving longitudinal hinge pins 39 to pivotally connect the clamp bar 36 to said body. For imparting pivotal movement to the clamp bar so as to move the same toward and away from the body, a rod 40 is pivotally attached to the medial portion of said bar by a hinge pin 41 extending longitudinally of and journaled in said body between and in opposed relation to the lock keys. The lower end of the rod 40 is pivoted to the outer, rear end portion of the lower arm 42 of an angular lever or trigger 43 which has an upstanding arm 44 at its front end (FIGS. 2 and 3). A brace or leg 45 depends from the body for pivotally supporting the lever 43 by attachment to the inner, front end portion of its lower arm 42. For resisting downward movement of the rod 40 and lower lever arm, which pivots the clamp bar 36 upward- 1y away from the body, a helical spring 46 connects the rear end of said lever arm to the upper portion of the leg 45.

In order to insure positive clamping of the suture 16, each lock key 37 has a medial, depending rib 47 extending transversely of the channel 21 and engaging in a complementary groove 48 formed in the top side of the body 1t) so as to intersect said channel. Additional olfsets are provided by shallow depressions or recesses 49 in the body top side for receiving the lock keys and by upset shoulders 50 adjacent the cars 38. As a result, the bottom of the suture channel is irregular and disposed in several planes so that the suture is confined under tension and cannot move when engaged by the clamp assembly 35.

A plurality of needle-receiving openings or orifices 51, 52 and 53 extend through the body It) perpendicular to the channel 21 and have their axes in registration with the longitudinal axis of said channel (FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 10). The orifices vary in diameter, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, to accommodate needles of dilferent size so that their eyes will engage the suture 16 when the needles are inserted in said orifices. A preferred form of surgical needle 54 is shown in FIGS. 4, and 9 and includes the usual arced or curved body 55 having a pointed end 56 and a circular eye 57 in its head or opposite end portion. The eye 57 is openable to permit threading of the suture by movement of the needle transversely of said suture and, for this purpose, a slit 58 extends from the outer end of the head inwardly beyond said eye. It is noted that the slit 58 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle so that said slit communicates with a lateral margin of the eye and does not intersect said eye. Also, a thin, resilient element or spring finger 59 is provided by the offsetting and extension of the slit an appreciable distance inwardly of the eye whereby said eye is kept closed to prevent accidental displacement of the suture. As shown at 611, the remaining portion of the needle head is relatively large so as to be relatively strong and overlie a large area of the margin of the eye. Adjacent the slit 58, the thick portion 69 of the needle head is bevelled or chamfered to provide an enlarged mouth 61 for said slit which facilitates insertion of the suture.

In use, the needle threader is loaded by threading the suture 16 through the eye 19 of the guide element 18 and the opening 17 of the casing cap 12. After pulling about twelve inches of suture through the opening, the spool 15 is placed on the spindle 13 and the casing 11 is screwthreaded on said spindle to enclose said spool. Then, the retaining pin 34 is disengaged from the apertures 33 and the clamp assembly 35 is pivoted upwardly to swing the .4 lock keys 37 out of the recesses 4? (FIGS. 7 and 9) by actuating the lever 43 so as to move its upright arm 44 toward the casing and pivot its lower arm 42 and pull the rod 411 downwardly. This clears the channel 21 and permits the suture to be laid therein with the outer end of said suture extending beyond the head 25 of the extensible rod 24 of the body. Upon releasing the lever 43, the force of the spring 46 returns said lever to its original position whereby the clamp assembly is swung downwardly to re-engage its lock keys with their recesses. The retaining pin is re-engaged with its apertures so as to overlie the suture and prevent displacement thereof upon subsequent opening of the clamp assembly. Due to the offsets provided by the lock keys 3'7, ribs 47, grooves 48, recesses 49 and shoulders 51?, the suture is clamped against movement in any direction and is placed under tension so as to be held in alinement with the axes of the needle-receiving orifices 51, 52 and 53.

When the head of the needle 54 is inserted in the proper orifice, the suture 16 enters the mouth 61 of the slit 58 and is guided into the eye 57 by continued inward movement of said needle. Due to the resiliency of the finger 59, the slit opens to permit the suture to enter the eye and then closes immediately to prevent escape of said suture. In order to remove the threaded needle, the lever 43 is again manipulated to open or release the clamp assembly 35 and permit the suture to be pulled through the channel 21 until the desired length is obtained. The suture is then cut by wrapping it around the knife blade 27 after reclosing the clamp assembly, whereby the portion of said suture in the channel is maintained in position for threading another needle. Due to the closing of the clamp assembly prior to cutting the suture, said suture is taut when said assembly is closed. Although the length of the suture may be determined in any suitable manner, the telescoping members 29 and 30 provide convenient measuring means. Since the distance between the needle-receiving orifice and the head 25 determines the length of the short end of the suture, such length may be varied by adjusting the rod 24. It is pointed out that the threader is not limited to use with the needle 54 but is capable of being used with other needles having openable eyes. Also, it is noted that the casing 11 serves as a handle and that the lever is actuated by gripping or squeezing its upright arm 44.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A needle threader including an elongate member having means for supporting a suture extending longitudinally thereof, the member having an orifice extending transversely of the suture supporting means and in alinement with the longitudinally extending suture for receiving a needle having an openable eye, and means overlying said supporting means for clamping the suture in alinement with the orifice whereby the suture is threaded in the eye of the needle inserted in said orifice, the clamping means being movably mounted on said member for engagement and disengagement with the suture to permit removal of the suture upon withdrawal of the needle from said orifice.

2. A needle threader as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clamping means includes resilient means for main taining said clamping means engaged with the suture and lever means for moving said clamping means out of engagement with the suture.

3. A needle threader as set forth in claim 1 including means for retaining the suture in engagement with the suture supporting means upon disengagement of the clamping means from the suture.

4. A needie threader including an elongate body having a longitudinal passage for supporting a suture, the body if, having an opening extending transversely of and in alinement with the passage for receiving a needle having an openable eye, and a clamp assembly movably mounted on said body for engaging the suture to hold the same alined with the opening whereby the suture is threaded in the eye of the needle inserted in said opening, the clamp assembly being movable out of engagement with the suture to permit removal thereof upon Withdrawal of the needle from said opening.

5. A needle threader as set forth in claim 4 including means for retaining the suture in the passage upon disengagement of the clamp assembly therefrom.

6. A needle threader as set forth in claim 4 wherein the clamp assembly includes a spring for maintaining said assembly engaged with the suture and lever means for moving said assembly out of engagement with the suture.

7. A needle threader as set forth in claim 4 wherein the clamp assembly includes a lock key for overlying and engaging the suture, resilient means for maintaining the lock key engaged with the suture and lever means for moving said assembly to disengage said key from the suture.

8. A needle threader as set forth in claim 7 including a pin extending transversely of the passage and overlying the suture for retaining the suture in said passage upon disengagement of the lock key therefrom.

9. A needle threader including an elongate body having a longitudinal channel for supporting a suture, a housing at one end of the body containing a supply of suture and communicating with the channel, said body having an orifice extending transversely of and in alinement with said channel for receiving a needle having an openable eye, a clamp assembly pivotally mounted on said body and having at least a portion thereof overlying said channel for engagement with the suture to hold the same alined with the orifice whereby the suture is threaded in the eye of the needle inserted in said orifice, and lever means adjacent the housing for pivoting the clamp assembly into and out of engagement with the suture to permit removal thereof from said channel upon withdrawal of the needle from the orifice.

10. A needle threader as set forth in claim 9 including retaining means extending transversely of the channel and overlying the suture for confining the same against displacement upon disengagement of the clamp assembly from the suture.

11. A needle threader as set forth in claim 9 including a knife at the end of the body opposite the housing for cutting the suture after its removal from the channel.

12. A needle threader as set forth in claim 11 wherein the body includes a telescoping member having the knife mounted thereon whereby adjustment of the member varies the length of one end of the suture.

13. A needle threader as set forth in claim 9 wherein the channel has offsets in its bottom so that the suture is positively confined against movement when engaged by the clamp assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 53,638 Low Apr. 3, 1866 1,960,117 Lydeard May 22, 1934 2,190,792 Lippard Feb. 20, 1940 2,286,578 Sauter June 16, 1942 2,396,180 Karle Mar. 5, 1946 2,783,571 Stilwell Mar. 5, 1957 2,959,172 Held Nov. 8, 1960 

1. A NEEDLE THREADER INCLUDING AN ELONGATE MEMBER HAVING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A SUTURE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF THE MEMBER HAVING AN ORIFICE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE SUTURE SUPPORTING MEANS AND IN ALINEMENT WITH THE LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SUTURE FOR RECEIVING A NEEDLE HAVING AN OPENABLE EYE, AND MEANS OVERLYING SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR CLAMPING THE SUTURE IN ALINEMENT WITH THE ORIFICE WHEREBY THE SUTURE IS THREADED IN THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE INSERTED IN SAID ORIFICE, THE CLAMPING MEANS BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MEMBER FOR ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT WITH THE SUTURE TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF THE SUTURE UPON WITHDRAWAL OF THE NEEDLE FROM SAID ORIFICE. 